UPDATE . Two R34's and an R32 were seized today. My information says that they are not done seizing cars. If you have a car, I would be on the look out.
I was just informed that a Kaizo R34, an individual owners vehicle was seized this morning by ICE agents. The agents in full Kevlar served a seizure warrant to an owner in the LA area. I know the owner and the car. Again, they came to the owners residence, and seized the car from there. Details are sketchy right now, but as far as we know this is the first "owner" vehicle seized. Still no charges against Kaizo, but it seems like the government is seizing cars. The car in California was an SB100 car, so this could be one of the focuses.SB100 is a specialty constructed vehicle exemption in California. It allows for up to 500 cars per year to be registered with no smog checks if the car is accepted as a 1960 or does not resemble any other vehicle.

Per California Vehicle Code §4750.1, the first 500 program applicants in each calendar year may choose whether the inspection is based on the model-year of the engine used in the vehicle or the vehicle model-year. If the engine or the vehicle does not sufficiently resemble one previously manufactured, the referee will assign 1960 as the model-year.

Its a good program for specialty vehicles. Cars that are driven very little, and mostly just used to go to shows.

580. A "specially constructed vehicle" is a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. A specially constructed vehicle may be built from (1) a kit; (2) new or used, or a combination of new and used, parts; or (3) a vehicle reported for dismantling, as required by Section 5500 or 11520, which, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle dismantled. A specially constructed vehicle is not a vehicle which has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts.

#1 SPCV can be a kit
#2 SPCV can be new or used parts (aka does not need to be a "kit")
#3 SPCV can be a vehicle reported for dismantling that does not resemble original car.
A SPCV can be any one of these three things. It does not need to meet all 3 requirements.
The last line is ambiguous and open to legal interpretation.

On another note, we heard that Ivy Wang is no longer the DA in charge of this case. We will be on the lookout for more information on seizures today.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

While checking out my friend Carters Jung's book - Import Tuner , in the letters section was a letter and a few pictures of the Fast and Furious Kaizo R34 on a tow truck. They mentioned that they first thought it was the “stolen” GTS from North Hollywood from a while back. This is not that stolen car.

This is one of the cars that was seized at Kaizo. They mention in the article that the car was at Manheim Auto Auction in Oceanside. Since then a poster on Supraforums mentioned that they had seen the Kaizo cars being moved on a transporter. I wonder where they were being moved to ?

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I don't believe this car is on this list. Cars that were actually turned in on the "Cash for Clunkers." A Buick GNX. Built by ASC/Mclaren. One of 547 cars. 3.8 liter Buick Turbo. A tear in my eye as I write this. That cars worth $20k if its in a basket and all the parts are in the trunk.... Check out the list. I had a 1986 Buick Grand National for several years. I still really enjoy the 86-86 Buick Turbo Regals. Some cars deserved to die, many of them on the list were worth a lot more than $4500 or $3500 no matter the condition of them.

Check out the JDM Ego - Public Enemy GT-R Shirts. If you know, then you know. And even if you don't you should buy one. JDM Ego said they were going to start selling these soon. If you believe in GT-R's you should buy one.

Country's most stringent controls will reduce ozone and preventemissions of airborne toxins

DIAMOND BAR, CALIF. : Today the Air Resources Board adopted aregulation for air fresheners, paint thinners and multi-purposesolvents that will eliminate more than 14 tons-per-day ofvolatile organic compounds when fully implemented in 2014, andprohibits the use of several toxic air contaminants.

According to California's clean air laws, chemically createdproducts used by homeowners and institutions are consumerproducts and subject to air pollution regulatory control. Theseemit nearly 255 tons-per-day of VOCs statewide. Thesub-categories of products addressed by today's action emit 22tons-per-day of the smog forming compounds.

"Consumer products are not widely recognized as a source of airpollution," said ARB Executive Officer James Goldstene. "But themillions of times a day these are sprayed, poured and paintedgenerate a large cloud of fumes that can create ozone andcontribute to California's smog problem."

The new regulation, which will result in one of the state'slargest reductions of VOCs from consumer products, also sets acap on the use of high global warming ingredients, another U.S.first.

The cap on global warming ingredients was adopted to create abackstop that would avoid the need to review the regulation ifsuch compounds were to be considered for future formulas.

ARB officials expect the average increase cost to consumers tobe about $1.50 per gallon of paint thinner.

VOCs are a target of air quality regulations because they easilyconvert to ozone in the heat of California's climate. Ozone canworsen asthma, cause serious lung inflammation, decrease lungfunction and lead to emergency room visits for asthma,hospitalization for respiratory conditions and increased schoolabsences.

The California Clean Air Act adopted in 1988 required ARB toreduce VOC emissions from consumer products as a means to reachstate and federal ambient air quality standards. Since that dateARB regulations have curbed these emissions by 44 percent, nearly200 tons-per-day, and curbed toxic air contaminants by 13tons-per-day.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the CaliforniaEnvironmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote andprotect public health, welfare, and ecological resources througheffective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing andconsidering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all airpollution control efforts in California to attain and maintainhealth based air quality standards.

SP Engineering held a GT-R Owners Day and end of summer BBQ today. R35 GT-R’s were out in force with over 30 cars making an appearance over the day. Three R32 GT-R’s , two R33 GT-R’s, and the R34 GTT/VW Buggy car also showed up.

Three cars made dyno pulls on SP's all wheel drive Mustang dyno with the highest R35 in 570 whp range.

It was good to meet up and talk to many of the owners and other industry people. SSP made the trek out from to southern California. The are supposed to be doing instrumented testing with Edmunds: Inside Line later on this week, and that sounds like fun. Thanks to Alex and SP Enginering for hosting this event. It was a good turn out, and we can’t wait till the next track event for GT-R Owners.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

ARB fines marketers of gasoline-powered blenders $240K Engines used to power appliances were not CA-certified

Sacramento – The Air Resources Board this month fined Orange County-based On the Edge Marketing and CSK Auto Inc. of Phoenix $240,000 for selling gasoline-powered blenders using illegal uncertified small off-road engines to California businesses and residents. Sales of these unauthorized blenders, popular for mixing beverages at tail-gate parties and other outdoor events, occurred in 2007. They feature “two-stroke” engines similar in size to those that power small chain saws, and require that oil be mixed in with the gas. These types of illegal uncertified engines from China can produce emissions 10 times as high as those of compliant certified engines approved for use in California. “Gasoline-powered blenders may be this year's tailgate sensation, but drinkers should not be polluting our air while having a good time,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. Both companies, which originally imported about 3,000 of these blenders from China, have been ordered to stop selling goods with non-certified small off-road engines, and to make payments to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which supports projects and research to prevent air pollution. Non-certified gasoline engines can produce excess smog-forming emissions that can cause difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, coughs, heightened asthma rates, cardiopulmonary ailments and premature deaths. CSK Auto, Inc. owns and operates more than 1,300 retail auto parts stores in multiple states under the brand names Checker Auto Parts, Schuck's Auto Supply, and Murray's Discount Auto Stores. The company operates "Kragen Auto Parts" stores in California. CSK bills itself as the largest specialty auto parts and accessories retailer in the western U.S. On the Edge Marketing manufactures and imports a variety of niche items, including private label products.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Its now after Labor Day, and still no charges in the Kaizo case. The government seems to be expending a lot of time and resources on these 50 or so cars and owners here in the US.

The Kaizo offices were raided on June 4, 2009. We will assume prior to ICE , DOT, EPA, and CARB raiding the office that there was some kind of investigation to even bring on the search warrants.

I had a call recently from someone that said the FBI was also in on this investigation. They had asked some information about some transactions. So now its FBI , ICE, DOT, EPA, CARB all on the chase of about 50 cars that were sold over the last three years. In that same amount of time, about 30,000,000 cars were sold new in the US. Way to use resources to chase after the dangerous car peddlers. The same guys that pay the taxes, and registration fees on the cars they put together here in the US.

Actually, from what they said, Kaizo was recognized in over 30 states as a manufacturer. The problem is that they never were an RI or ICI, so for them to even be bringing in these cars/parts was a bit questionable. Not even sure how Silvia's were starting to show up as well.

If you are a manufacturer, then you should not be an RI or an ICI. They are different things completely. They follow different rules and regulations on importing.

So if Kaizo was "recognized as a manufacturer" by a state, and states are the ones that deal with titling a car, then were they in the right ?

Importing auto parts is legal. Titling cars is legal. So is this not a state issue, not a federal issue now ? Up to the individual states, like marijuana laws in California ? Although Federally its not allowed, on a state level it is allowed with certain restrictions.

If Kaizo only sold rolling bodies less engine and transmission like say Rossion or Superperformance, then where are the differences ?

Imagine a complete car – take out the engine and transmission (transaxle) and that is our replica. They are completely assembled and painted at our factory by experts that have produced over 2500 MKIII’s plus our other product lines. "

"How do I register my Superformance chassis?

Each state in the USA has different requirements and regulations with regards to the registration of your specially constructed vehicle. We highly recommend that you verify all requirements with your local DMV office.

SEMA has posted a list of state by state registration information : visit this link. SEMA SAN."

18 years ago today, I started my enlistment in the US Navy. Never Again Volunteer Yourself(NAVY) is the joke acronym that is used, although I think most people enjoy their time in the Navy. 6 years is what I did.Starting when I was 17 years old. Nearly two years at school and boot camp in Great Lakes ,IL followed by being stationed on a ship closer to home.

Boot camp was during winter in Illinois. Cold. Very cold. Normally boot camp is two months, but I had an issue with my ASVAB test. Somehow in there, I ended up being listed as having weak English skills, and ended up having to remediate while in boot camp. I spent an extra month in class with ESL students. I still think I must have skipped a question on the test. The rest of my scores were fairly high, but it didn’t matter much, I spent my extra month in boot camp. I was first in company 267, but ended up graduating from company 008 in 1992.

Next I went on to A School. “A” School was fairly easy. All multiple guess tests. I had just come from school . I ended up being top of my class, and I was offered “C'” School. “C” School automatically advanced me to E-4 or Petty Officer Third Class. I was top of my class for “C” School and offered my pick of orders. I picked a Frigate out of San Diego. A small ship offered more opportunities, and San Diego had the best weather in the US.

I was stationed on a ship that was out of San Diego , CA. 32nd street. The USS Rentz , FFG-46. My rating in the Navy was GSE, or Gas Turbine Systems Technician , Electrical. I worked on the electrical control systems for the gas turbine engines, and the control panels for the generators and other engineering type systems on the ship.

Most of my time was spent in one space , Central Control Station, or CCS. Here a pretty normal view for me. Sitting beside the Electric Plant Control Console, looking across at a pissed off looking Engineman, or diesel mechanic. Behind him was the Auxiliary Control Console or ACC. Everything is haze grey, and lit by fluorescent lights. Every console had about 100 buttons and lights. Every one of those little buttons had 4 light bulbs in them. I spent a lot of time changing light bulbs. I can still go though some of my stuff, and find the little light bulbs. These would have been perfect candidates for LED lights, although might have ruined my job security.

The gas turbine engine, or jet engine that I worked on was the General Electric LM2500. On the Frigate we had two of them that drove a reduction gear though the power turbine section. About 20,000 hp each driving the reduction gear though SSS clutches, that turned a single screw with controllable pitch propeller.

Gas turbine change out.

I met up with the ship in late 1993 and was on board though 1997. I went to many places around the world, and even a few here locally in the US,Canada, and Mexico.

Pago Pago , American Samoa

It was work, it was fun, it was an experience. Couple more pictures of my division, in CCS. Normal morning muster type thing. I will eventually get some more stories of my experiences in the Navy. I did get to visit a lot of countries, and even got in a bar brawl at one point. Such is life.

“Smog is still a serious health concern in California,” said ARBChairman Mary D. Nichols. “Consumer products contribute to ourair pollution problems and our enforcement teams are on thelookout for violators.”

Valspar no longer owns the ‘Goof Off’ product line and stoppedselling the AFTA product in California.

The company will pay $218,000 in penalties to the California AirPollution Control Fund for projects and research to improveCalifornia’s air quality.

VOCs are building blocks that help create ground-level ozone, orsmog. Smog can damage lungs, cause coughing and chest tightness,and worsen asthma symptoms while also affecting crop yields. Itis particularly harmful to children, the elderly and those whohave preexisting health problems.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the CaliforniaEnvironmental Protection Agency. ARB’s mission is to promote andprotect public health, welfare, and ecological resources througheffective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing andconsidering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all airpollution control efforts in California to attain and maintainhealth based air quality standards.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Over at Supraforums someone posted this picture of two of Kaizos cars sitting at an impound yard near San Diego. The poster was told "they were going to crush them".

Charges have still not be brought against Kaizo, and in an interesting turn of events, these cars were not actually owned by Kaizo when they were seized. They were scheduled to be exported from the US . We are not going to disclose who the owner of these cars are, but it will probably come out in due time.

The blue R34 is the "hero" car from Fast and Furious 4, and the red car is a GTS with GTR fenders and an RB26.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Not a new magazine article, however it is interesting, and may hold some points for some people. 1 G is now Rossion Cars.

International automotive experts have called it, "The ultimate driver's machine." It has been described as "wild, yet civilized," and it has been said that the Noble M12 GTO-3R "offers pure, raw racing performance."

Its supposed to be a great car to drive. There are a few of them around in the US.

Built by Noble Moy Automotive and sold as rolling chassis or turnkey-minus in America, exclusively by 1G Racing, the Noble M12 GTO-3R is pre-assembled at Hi-Tech Autos in South Africa.

The Noble came to the US as a rolling chassis.

The Noble M12 is shipped to 1G Racing the same way it is shipped to Noble UK--assembled without engine and transmission. The cars will be sold in limited quantities as a component rolling chassis only, making this, not a kit car per se, but a nearly complete component car, ready to accept the buyer's drivetrain (engine/transaxle).

Shipped assembled, without an engine and transmission. A complete component car. Rossion cars still gets chassis built in South Africa, and ships them to the US less engine and transmission. It is up to the individual buyer to purchase and install an engine and transmission. Rossion Manufacturing.

“Companies that deliberately flout the law are often assessed higher penalties,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “Playing by the rules from the start is the most cost-effective, smart business plan any company can follow.” GP Motorcycles and Moto Forza sold several dozen off-road motorcycles to customers who thought they were purchasing on-road models. Many of the bikes were outfitted with so-called “street-legal” kits and licensed for on-road use, both illegal in California.

ARB revoked all the on-road licenses and registrations for the illegal bikes sold by GP Motorcycles and Moto Forza. The motorcycle owners were permitted to return their license plates to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for the appropriate off-road riding stickers and plates.

Off-highway vehicles do not meet federal motor vehicle safety standards -- or ARB’s emission standards -- required of on-road motorcycles. There are no street-legal kits or conversions that make an off-road motorcycle legal for on-road use or registration. A motorcycle is either certified by ARB for on-road use or off-road use.

California's air pollution control efforts include regulating emissions from cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles. Smog can damage lungs, cause coughing and chest tightness, and worsen asthma symptoms while also affecting crop yields. The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB’s mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

Sunbelt Rentals fined $98,500 for emissions violations SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board last week fined Sunbelt Rentals $98,500 for emissions violations in 2007 and 2008 around the state. During a routine investigation, ARB investigators found that Sunbelt Rentals, headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C., failed to conduct diesel truck smoke tests in 2007 and 2008 at 20 of its California fleet facilities. “Californians depend on clean air as part of living a healthy life,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “When companies violate air quality laws, we all lose.” Under the penalty, Sunbelt Rentals must: • Ensure that staff responsible for compliance with the diesel truck emission inspection program attend California community college diesel emissions education courses and provide certificates of completion within one year, or provide proof that any contractor used to do the annual smoke tests has taken this course within the last four years; • Complete heavy-duty diesel engine software and control technology upgrades in compliance with regulations; • Comply with the ARB’s anti-idling regulations and all other applicable regulations; • Supply all smoke inspection records to ARB for the next four years; and, • Properly label engines to ensure compliance with the engine emissions certification program regulations. The company will pay $98,500 in penalties: $73,875 will go to the California Air Pollution Control Fund, which provides funding for projects and research to improve California s air quality; $12,312.50 to Peralta Community College District to fund emission education classes; and, the remaining $12,312.50 to the California Pollution Control Financing Authority to guarantee low interest loans for fleets purchasing diesel exhaust retrofits or new engines or vehicles.. Failure to inspect diesel vehicles can lead to an increase in harmful airborne particles that Californians breathe. Over a decade ago, the ARB listed diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant in order to protect public health. Exposure to unsafe levels of diesel emissions can increase the risk of asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB’s mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.